Abstract
This report is the culmination of a task and finish group designated from the Medr and Advance HE Community of Practice (CoP) for Employability. For the academic year 2024-25 the CoP prioritised two key areas through task and complete groups, one of which was Ethical and Sustainable Employability (ESE). As global priorities shift towards sustainability and social responsibility, tertiary education must equip graduates with the skills to thrive in a purpose-driven job market. As such, the ESE group was tasked with reviewing the critical role universities play in shaping ethically conscious and sustainable career paths for students. Included in this, the group was tasked with exploring best practices in integrating
sustainability into curricula, fostering responsible career development and partnering with industries that share these values. The project ran between March and mid-June 2025 and used a case study/best practice data gathering approach via email and word of mouth. Each project member sent the template to various contacts within their own institutions and to select external stakeholders. Examples were analysed using thematic analysis. In total, 49 case studies were collated during the data gathering exercise from institutions in Wales. The report identifies the contribution of these to ethical and sustainable employability and evaluates the initiatives, including key benefits and areas for improvement or future action and key insights. The report finds that through curriculum innovation, extra-curricular initiatives and employer engagement, educators are forging connections between employability, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and, in Wales, the Well-being of Future Generations Act (2015). At the same time, the report identifies ongoing challenges, especially in relation to financial constraints and workload pressures. Key recommendations focus on the development of a toolkit, collaboration and communication, and future projects.
sustainability into curricula, fostering responsible career development and partnering with industries that share these values. The project ran between March and mid-June 2025 and used a case study/best practice data gathering approach via email and word of mouth. Each project member sent the template to various contacts within their own institutions and to select external stakeholders. Examples were analysed using thematic analysis. In total, 49 case studies were collated during the data gathering exercise from institutions in Wales. The report identifies the contribution of these to ethical and sustainable employability and evaluates the initiatives, including key benefits and areas for improvement or future action and key insights. The report finds that through curriculum innovation, extra-curricular initiatives and employer engagement, educators are forging connections between employability, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and, in Wales, the Well-being of Future Generations Act (2015). At the same time, the report identifies ongoing challenges, especially in relation to financial constraints and workload pressures. Key recommendations focus on the development of a toolkit, collaboration and communication, and future projects.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Advance HE |
| Number of pages | 50 |
| Publication status | Published - 30 Oct 2025 |